INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM

1st Semester 2011- Highlights

January to June 2011 - Highlights
Passenger traffic

Total passenger arrivals for the period January to June 2011 numbered 623,547 representing an increase of 5.5% over the figure of 591,153 for the corresponding period of the preceding year. During the same period, passenger departures numbered 658,123 (+4.3%).

Tourist arrivals

Tourist arrivals for the first six months of 2011 attained 464,604. This represents an increase of 5.8% over the figure of 439,150 registered for the first semester of 2010.

Tourist arrivals from Europe increased by 3.8% to 297,432 with a 5.6% growth in arrivals from France, the leading market. As regards the other major generating countries, the following performances were noted: Germany (+5.9%), Italy (-7.7%) and United Kingdom (-8.3%).

Tourist arrivals from Africa expanded by 3.7% to 108,251. Arrivals from Reunion Island, the major market of the region, grew by 4.3% and those from the Republic of South Africa by 0.9%.

Tourist arrivals from the Asian market went up by 21.7% to 44,021, with India, the major generating country of the continent, registering a growth of 15.6%. The performance in arrivals from the other Asian countries was as follows: People’s Republic of China (+53.6%), Singapore (+46.9%), Hong Kong (+33.0%), Malaysia (+22.3%), United Arab Emirates (+13.8%) and Japan (-4.0%).

Tourist arrivals from Oceania and America rose by 53.5% and 2.1% respectively. Arrivals from these two continents numbered 14,379, representing only 3.1% of the total.

Tourism receipts

Gross tourism receipts for the first semester of 2011 were estimated by the Bank of Mauritius at Rs 21,304 million, that is, an increase of 7.5% compared to Rs 19,809 million for the same period of 2010.

Hotel Statistics

At the end of June 2011, there were 115 registered hotels of which 111 were in operation, with a total room capacity of 11,999 and 24,493 bedplaces. The average room occupancy rate for all hotels for the first semester of 2011 was 65% (64% in 2010) while bed occupancy rate averaged 57% (56% in 2010).

Forecast 2011

Based on data available on tourist arrivals and information gathered from stakeholders, the forecast of 980,000 tourist arrivals for the year 2011 is maintained, representing an increase of 4.8% over the figure of 934,827 in 2010.

According to the Bank of Mauritius, tourism receipts for the year 2011 will be around Rs 42,500 million (+7.7 %) compared to Rs 39,456 million in 2010.

August 2011

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